Grand Opening Set for New Mental Health Center in Palm Springs

News Release

2016

Nov18

Grand Opening Set for New Mental Health Center in Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS – A new 24-hour urgent care facility in Palm Springs is open to help adults in
mental health crisis situations, serving to bridge a gap in mental health care in the region and
provide a resource to the community.

County officials and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon invite the public to join them at the grand
opening of the 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday.

The event will be held at McLean Company Rentals, adjacent to the center, in Palm Springs, 2500
N. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite B5.

“The opening of this facility is a significant, positive step to address the need for behavioral
health services in our region,” said Supervisor John J. Benoit. “Riverside County is very proud to
provide this service as part of our ongoing efforts to expand and improve mental health care in the
Coachella Valley.”

The 24/7 Mental Health Urgent Care is equipped to help individuals who have a mental health
crisis in a safe, efficient, trauma-informed and voluntary setting. Services include assessments,
medication management and psychiatric support that will lead to proper crisis intervention and
follow-up.

The facility is for adults who are voluntarily seeking assistance. Individuals can walk into the
center at any time or may also be referred by mobile crisis teams or law enforcement for crisis and
assessment services. All visits and stays are voluntary. The facility does not do involuntary
psychiatric admissions known as a 5150. Length of stays cannot exceed 23 hours. The center can see
up to 12 people at a time.

During their stay, guests will participate in the development of individualized care plans that
include recovery education, peer-to-peer support, mental health services, nutritional counseling
and coordination and referral to community-based services. Guests may receive visitors and use the
phone during their stay.

The center will alleviate local hospital emergency departments that get overwhelmed by
individuals brought in by law enforcement on 5150s.

“Our goal is to provide timely support before a situation becomes so volatile that people are
involuntarily held in hospital emergency rooms,” said Steve Steinberg, director of RUHS –
Behavioral Health. “We are providing an environment and a level of services that engage people in
their recovery.”

The center will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the year. RI International, a private
provider of behavioral health programs, is operating the center through a contract with the county.
The county provided $207,000 in start-up costs to open the center, which began operations Oct.
27.

Refreshments will be provided at the grand opening and staff-guided tours will be available
following the program.